Boeing's Last Flight-Test 787 Dreamliner Undergoes Final Assembly

Despite various delays due to everything from a machinists
strike to fastener glitches, Boeing announced last week its final 787
Dreamliner designated for flight test is now undergoing final assembly.

Boeing announced last week that progress is continuing on
its fleet of 787 Dreamliners. The ZA001 - the first flight test Dreamliner - is
having its paint touched up before finishing factory testing. Power was brought
onto the second airplane, the ZA002, in late February. The ZA002 is now undergoing
build verification tests. Production work continues on the ZA003, ZA004 and
ZA005.

Late last year, fastener
problems plagued the project. A fastener shortage was a major problem in
the early production stages of the airplane. Later Boeing reported installation
problems with the fasteners - so much so they removed and replaced every
fastener pin to get the problem fixed as quickly as possible. The pin was, at
times, the incorrect length.

A strike by the International Assn. of Machinists and
Aerospace Workers last September, along with supply chain delays, forced Boeing
to adjust
its production and delivery schedule. The strike halted production in the
company's factories for nearly two months. At the time, Boeing officials said
they would not intend to assemble airplanes during the strike.

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